The first round of the Davies and Tate Trophy has not been completed after a month of trying due to the wettest winter on record.

Of the 21 ties drawn at the launch of the Sussex County Inter-Club Matchplay knockout, that between East Sussex National and Ifield is yet to be resolved.

It is hoped to go ahead at Little Horsted this weekend after a series of postponements. But the second round is progressing.

As Cooden Beach was unfit, their tie with Hill Barn was switched to neutral Royal Eastbourne and for sheer excitement the match took some beating.

The municipal club from Worthing played the match away, like they always do, despite coming out of the hat first because of restrictions concerning tee time allocations.

At the Royal, they were soon locked in a mighty struggle after the foursomes finished even. This season Cooden held trials with a view to strengthening the team by including players whose handicaps have been reduced.

Team captain Peter Barford introduced Martin Thompson and Steve Bedwell and they combined well in the first-round defeat of Hassocks.

They repeated that foursomes victory of 6 and 5 against Hill Barn's Francis Chan and Darren Hoskins and it was Bradshaw's one-hole defeat of Steve Taylor that tied the match 6-6.

All credit to James Leese, Paul Long and Chris Bladon for coming back so strongly for Hill Barn and Darren Hoskins, earlier beating Stuart Ede by one hole, but Cooden went through 21-13 on countback and now entertain The Dyke.

Hill Barn shortly find themselves back at Eastbourne as they have drawn The Royal in the first round of the Plate.

In stark contrast to the closeness of the encounter at The Royal, Willingdon inflicted a 12-0 whitewash on Wellshurst.

The Davies and Tate Trophy serves many admirable purposes and not the least is the opportunity afforded to clubs of introducing young talent.

Piltdown have found one in Robert Gardiner, 15, who gave Martin Galway, the former Sussex champion, a run for his money.

While Mid Sussex beat Piltdown 9,-2,, the match involving Galway and Gardiner was of high quality when the Mid Sussex anchor won 2 and 1.

Elsewhere at Piltdown, Gavin O'Hara (Mid Sussex) overcame Paul Bulteel in spectacular fashion by putting his five-iron tee shot to within two feet at the par three last hole to win one up.

Nor was there any lack of drama when Mid Sussex's Jamie Brough, five down with six to play, earned a half just when John Andrew was looking good for a point.